Machine for cutting can-tops



C. PERCY AND W. MILLS.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING CAN TOPS.

' APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9, I920- v 1,393,159., Patented Oct. 11, 1921.

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MACHlNE FOR CUTTING CAN TOPS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9, 1920.

1,393,159. Patented Oct;r 11, T1921.

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Patented Oct. 11, 1921.

Application filed Beptem'ber a, tutti. Serial Ito. 409,274.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it mown that we, CLARK Pimor and WILLIAM Mms,citizens of the United States, residing at South Bellingham and Anacortes,

' in the counties of Whatcom and Skagit and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Cutting Can-Tops, of which the following is a specification, reterence beinghad to the accompanying drawings. V

' This invention relates to an improved machine for cutting can tops.

(Jonsiderahle cans for foods are con, demned, and instead of destroying the Another object is the provision of a ma-.

chae wherein improved means is afforded for cutting the tops of the cans without in an way damaging the contents.

till another object is the provision of means engaging the top of the can within the flange of the top, whereby cutting memhers will revolve about the can adjacent the marginal flange of the top of the can cos operatii'l, with the means fitting withln the flange o the top, so as to sever the wall of the can immediately adjacent the marginal flange of the can top.

While the design and construction at present illustrated and set forth is deemed preferable, it is obvious that as a result of a reduction of the invention to a more practical form for commercial purposes, the invention may be susceptible to changes, and the ri ht to these changes is claimed, provided tiey are comprehended within the scope of what is claimed.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the improved can top cutting machine constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the machine on line 22 of Fig. l.

. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the lower part of the machine, more. clearly showing the cutting members.

a Fig. 4 is a detail view of one of the our were for one of the cutting members, and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of a pertlon or the marginal flange of the can, showmg more clearly the cutting engagement of the cutter; 7

Referring more especially to the drawings, 1 designates a frame provided with parallel gu des spaced as shown and having their ad acent faces provided with guide grooves 2.

Carriers 3 having oppositely arranged IlbS 4 are mounted between the guides, whereby the ribs 4; may engage the guide grooves 2. These carriers are designed to be moved toward each other and toward the center of the frame 1 when it is desired to remove the cancutting members into operative position.

Suitable stud pins 5 having fiat heads 6 are provided with threaded extensions 7 which are threaded into the carriers 3, there being bushings 8 carried by the stud pins on which the cutting members 9 revolve. Each cutting member comprises a body ofcylindrical form and its periphery has an annular groove 10, thereby causing the body to be formed with annular flanges 11 and 12.. These flanges have cutting-edges 13 and 14:, hence it is possible to reverse each cutting member so that either of its cutting edges or corners may be employed for cutting the wall of the can. The annular groove formed in each cutting member affords means for the reception of the flange 15 of the top 16 of the can 17, as the frame revolves and when the cutters are in operative position. Extending centrally through the frame is a stationary tubular rod 18 upon the lower' end of which a chuck 19 is fixedly threaded. This chuck is designed to engage the top of the can within the flange 15. The chuck has an annular flange 20 which engages the flange of the can and is also provided with an annular groove 21 to accommodate the annular raised portion of the top of the can. Also the chuck is provided with diametrically opposite depressions 22 for the reception of a spanner wrench whereby the chuck may be applied to or be detached fr m the tubular shaft 18 which remains stationary.

The lower marginal corner of the flange 20 of the chuck is provided with a cutting edge 20 to cooperate with either of the cutting edges 13 and 14, to facilitate the cutting or the can.

lltevolnble upon the tubular shaft 18 is a sleeve 23 and also rotatable with but slidable on the sleeve is a collar 24 provided with cam members 25. The sleeve 23 carries with it the frame 1 and this construction, as well as the collar 24, are of conventional construction and employed in can top cuttin machines now on the market. The col ar 24 may be raised and lowered by any suitable means, preferably by a lever arm 26. Rising upwardly from the frame are bearings 27 in which levers 28 are pivotally mounted, as at 29. The upper ends of these levers carry rollers 30 which are designed to cooperate with the cam members 25. The lower ends of the levers 28 engage notches ordepressions 31 of the carriers 3. The upper end of the sleeve 23 carries a bevel spur gear 32 to which any suitable power (not shown) may be geared for imparting motion to the sleeve 23. This sleeve 23 constitutes a threaded member, and so far as means is concerned for imparting motion to the sleeve, it is immaterial, for this means (not shown) forms no part of the present invention.

In cutting the tops of cans, it is the aim to move the can to a position so that the chuck may engage withinthe flange of the top of the can and while the sleeve 23 is in motion, the carriers are moved toward the center of the framein order to position the cutting members adjacent the wall of the can, so that a cutting edge or corner of each of the cutting members may ride against the wall of the can immediately below the flange of the top. The chuck constitutes means to resist the pressure of the cutters. The frame 1 revolves sufficiently to permit the cutters to sever the wall of he can. As soon as the wall of the can immediately below the flange of the top is cut, the carriers 3 are moved radially outwardly, then the can may be lowered, the contents still remaining therein. The can is then ready to be reflanged, without damaging the contents, for -the purpose of the attachment of a new top by means of any well known machine (not shown).

A suitable cam 34 is provided having a can supporting member 35 for positioning the can in engagement with the chuck. The can is mounted upon the member 35, as shown clearly in the drawings. The cam 34 may be operated in any suitable manner (not shown). The cam or member 34 may be supported by any suitable means (not shown). The particular form of 0am, or the porting it, and the means for o'rms no part of the present inthat it is to be means for su operating it vention, with the exception 1 ,eeeaee understood that the member or cam 34 is designed to move laterally to the right, so that the inclined portion may raise the supporting member 35, in order to force the top of the cam in contact with the chuck.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed as new and useful is:

' 1. In a machine for cutting can tops, can supporting means, a stationary pressure resistance member fitting within the flange of the top of the can, a frame revoluble about the stationary pressure resistance member, carriersmounted in guides of said frame and movable radially toward the center of the pressure resistance member, and cylindrical cutters movable with the carriers, said cutters having annular grooves for the reception of the flange of the can, the upper and lower walls of the grooves having upper and lower right angle cutting edges engaging immediately below the flange of the can top diagonally opposite the margin of the resistance member, the frame revolving about the pressure resistance member whereby the cutting edges of the cutters may roll upon and cut the wall of the can, the cylindrical surface below either one of said cutting edges, when the cutters are reversed, being parallel with the surface of the can, thereby I fit within the flange of the top of a can, means revoluble'about the axis of the chuck,

carriers mounted on said means to move radially relatively to said axis, mounted on the carriers and provided with annular grooves having upper and lower square corher cutting margins, either one of which being adapted to engage under the flange of the can diagonally o posite the margin of the chuck for cutting t e cylindrical wall immediately below the flan e, and means for detachably supporting sai rollers on the carriers.

3. In a machine for cutting can tops, a stationary pressure resistance chuck adapted to fit within the flange of the top of a can and provided with a lower marginal cutting edge, means revoluble about the axis of the chuck, carriers mounted on said means to move radially relatively to said axis, revoluble rollers having annular grooves having revoluble rollers c upper and lower corner cutting margins,

either cutting margin of each roller adapted .to engage immediately under the flange of 4. In a machine for cutting can tops, a

said axis, rollers mounted on the carriers and having square corner cutting edges rolling immediately under the flange of the can diagonally opposite and cooperating with the cutting edge of the chuck, for simultaneously severing the top and the cylindrical wall, of the can.

In testimony whereof we hereunto affix our signatures.

CLARK PERCY. WILLIAM MILLS. 

